S I G N S

Chapter 3

The next time it was three days.

Jennie was just walking back into the library after her lunch break when she spotted Lisa standing between the rows of books, reading the back of the book clutched in her hand.

Jennie let herself behind the counter, waving at her best friend Jackson, who was the library's I.T. guy, before sitting behind her desk. She took a sip from her coffee and peeked over the top of her computer screen to catch a glimpse of Lisa, who was pulling another book off the shelves.

A small crease formed between Jennie's eyebrows as she watched Lisa. Surely it wasn't right to judge her because of her brother? She seemed so sweet, especially when she got flustered the other day. Even now, as Jennie gazed at her, Lisa looked so normal, flipping through the pages of the book she held.

A few minutes later Lisa headed out of the stacks of books, carrying a small pile with her. Jennie stared at her, hoping she'd look over, and when Lisa's attention slide to the front desk, Jennie waved. A wide smile lit up Lisa's face as she strode towards Jennie.

"I was wondering where you were!" Lisa said by way of greeting, as Jennie reached for the nearest notepad.

'Lunch break! I had to make a coffee stop'

Jennie held up the notepad, picking up the cup of coffee she'd forgotten about whilst she'd been gazing at Lisa. She took a sip, waiting for Lisa's reply.

"I'm just finishing up my own lunch break, I thought I'd swing by and pick up some new reading material." Lisa explained, "I'm glad I caught you before I left."

Jennie smiled down at the notepad, biting her lip as she scrawled down a reply.

'I wasn't expecting you back so soon, you still have a four more days left on those books you borrowed'

Lisa let out a short laugh, quickly clapping her hand over her mouth as the sound disturbed the silence of the library. Lisa mouthed an apology at an irritated college student who was glaring at her over the top of his laptop. She leaned in closer to Jennie, dropping her voice to a whisper.

"I thought I'd make an early return, there were some new topics that caught my attention last time I was here."

With a smile, Jennie picked up the first book. Signing for Dummies. She quickly looked back up at Lisa, who was still leaning over the counter with a smirk on her face.

"Someone reminded me that sign language isn't just for deaf people." Lisa whispered, winking at Jennie. Or at least she tried to wink. It came off as more of a blink, which Jennie thought was even cuter. Feeling her face flush, Jennie picked up the next book, getting flustered when she realised it was another book on American Sign Language.

Scanning the last book, Jennie placed it on top of the rest of the pile. Six books. All on sign language. She couldn't stop smiling as she handed Lisa back her library card.

"Well, I better get to it," Lisa said, picking up the books and flashing Jennie another smile, "I'll see you next time."

It wasn't a question.

Lisa knew she'd be back to see Jennie, checking out more books as an excuse to keep coming back.

And Jennie knew that she would be counting down the days until she saw Lisa again.

-----

It was Friday night, which meant that Jennie was at Jisoo's favourite dive bar, squished into a booth with Jackson, who she'd dragged along with her.

Rosé and Jisoo carried over beers for everyone, before settling in opposite Jennie and Jackson. They were already deep in conversation about one of Jisoo's cases at the police department.

"So we managed to track one of the guys to an abandoned warehouse where they'd been setting up their underground fight club. We took him into the station, and within five minutes of interrogating him we had the name of the person behind it," Jisoo said, looking smug.

"Right, because you're soooo intimidating," Rosé laughed, "what'd you do, flash your dimples at him? I bet he was terrified."

"I'll have you know I can be very threatening when I want to be, Kim." Jisoo pouted, pretending to scowl as Jennie and Jackson joined in with Rosé's laughter.

'Okay detective dimples'

Jennie signed at Jisoo, triggering another round of laughter.

"Hey! I understood that." Jisoo huffed, crossing her arms, "learning sign language for you was a terrible idea, you're wounding my pride here Jennie." she joked.

"We're just messing with you babe, I'm very proud of you," said Rosé, kissing Jisoo on her cheek, "but you have to admit, you're dimples are super cute."

Jennie smiled, she felt all warm inside seeing Rosé happy with the person she loved. Taking a sip of beer, her mind turned to someone else she knew with cute dimples.

"Jennie?"

She brought herself back to the conversation, looking at Jackson who had just spoken. "Are you okay? You've been distracted all day." he continued.

She nodded, smiling as she held up her empty bottle of beer. She gestured towards the bar as she got up. Taking the empty bottle with her, she pointed at it and held four fingers up at the bartender.

As she waited she thought about what Jackson had said. It was true, she'd been distracted all day thinking about Lisa, and had come to the conclusion that she would make up her own mind about her. She understood why Rosé had told her to be careful, she had always been too trusting, but she knew her trust wasn't misplaced in Lisa.

As she carried the bottles back to their booth, she smiled to herself.

She couldn't wait to see Lisa again.